5 Kundalini Morning Rituals That Will Change Your Life
I found myself asking again and again, what is this and how have I not known about these practices before?
Although my Vinyasa practice continues to be steady, for the past year, I have changed up my morning routine to include several new Kundalini morning rituals. These rituals don’t just make me feel great, but I am not exaggerating when I say that they have really changed my life. The bouts of depression and anxiety I used to experience, especially postpartum, have disappeared. Not only do I feel brighter and more radiant, but my mind is clearer. I’m more even-tempered. I see more. And I’m experiencing more success than ever.
Here are the five most powerful Kundalini morning rituals I do regularly, daily if possible. Although you’ll feel results immediately, it takes thirty to forty days of consistent practice to really start changing your life. And, believe me, it will change your life.
- Cold Showers: Although it was one of the hardest rituals to get used to, cold showers are now part of my daily routine. I start with dry brushing and then coat my body in coconut oil. Then I get under the cold water, allowing it to hit my face and chest. I’ve found that you can massage your body, from the soles of your feet to your shoulders and neck, to help keep you warm (and to give you something to do). Even just thirty seconds under the cold water will change everything. And, according to Guru Jagat, cold showers are one of the best practices for glandular health, anti-aging, increased energy, and mental alertness. They will also improve the condition of your skin – you really do “glow” afterward!
- Subagh Kriya: This powerful sequence takes about twenty minutes from start to finish. It is said to be an incredibly effective way to bring more abundance and prosperity to your life. The whole sequence is done seated and involves various hand movements and chanting. You can find videos of this sequence to follow along with online at first, but after a few times doing it, you’ll learn how to do it yourself. The impact this has had on my professional life is astounding. I never start my day without doing this practice.
- Breath of Fire:Â This is one of the most powerful practices I do. Designed to reset your glands and hormones, this pranayama technique brings your entire body back into balance. Although it is sometimes taught with only an emphasis on the exhale, in Kundalini, the emphasis is equal on both the inhalation and exhalation. It is a powerful, rapid breath through the nose, but it is sustainable. Most Kundalini teachers recommend you practice breath of fire for at least seven minutes to reap the most benefits.
- Sat Kriya: One of the most essential practices in the Kundalini technology system, Sat Kriya is a simple breath meditation that helps to energize your body and increase your radiance. To practice it, sit on your heels, bringing your arms overhead. Interlace your fingers and release the index finger, squeezing the palms together. As you pull your navel in powerfully, you mentally chant “Sat.” As you exhale and release the belly, you repeat, “Nam.” Just three minutes of this kriya can elevate your awareness and energy. I do this practice in the morning, but also throughout the day when I feel like I need a boost. If I need more after the first three minutes, I’ll keep adding more three-minute rounds until I feel ready to take on whatever is next in my day.
- Frog Pose: This simple exercise is a lot harder than it looks, which is why I love to do it in the morning – it makes me sweat! To begin, you start in a squat position with the knees wide and the heels up. As you exhale, you come to stand, looking towards your thighs. As you inhale, you look forward and return to the frog squat. You can go as fast or as slow as you like. I’ll do at least 26 of these each morning, although many times I’ll go for three or more minutes. Although your legs might shake, keep going! The energy that will flood your body when you’re done is amazing. And I’ve found it’s a great way to shift my mood quickly, too.
While much of Kundalini yoga will feel strange at first, especially if you are used to different styles of yoga, I’ve learned to love it. Not only are the results of Kundalini morning rituals astounding, but almost everything is accessible, which means I don’t have to “feel” like doing yoga to do it. And, because the practices are fast, there’s no excuse to add them to your morning routine!
Morning Yoga: From Waking to Awakening
In the first breath of the day lies infinite potential, when the senses are barely stirring and before the eyes have opened. In that first breath, the nexus of dreaming and waking, we begin to co-create with the universe. From that breath basis, every subsequent movement, thought and instantaneous decision contributes to the design of what will ultimately become our day.
We may not pay much attention to this moment because the average adult enjoys somewhere between 17,000 and 24,000 breaths per day, but that first one can be especially potent.
The first breath sets the tone and determines the bhava (mood or essence) of the day. With that in mind, I encourage you to allow yourself a “do-over” if you happen to be greeted with either of the two most common thoughts upon waking, “I didn’t get enough sleep” or “I don’t have enough time.”
Close your eyes, welcome a deep breath, and try again.
THE VINYASA OF WAKING
As Shiva Rea describes in Tending the Heart Fire, vinyasa is any sequence that results from an unfolding of consciousness. Consciousness being the operative word as vinyasa denotes an order that is carefully selected, on purpose, in a special way. Morning yoga practice begins before we find our mats, with the vinyasa of waking – the intentional order in which we do things when we emerge from the depths of sleep. What we choose to do with our first waking hours can have a profound impact on how we live the rest of our day.
English theologian Richard Whately once cautioned, “lose an hour in the morning, and you will spend all day looking for it.” While he was certainly onto something of value, I suggest we reframe his message in a more affirmative light: make use of an hour in the morning and you will find there is still a whole day ahead of you. Where the former preys on scarcity mentality and fear, perhaps the latter more effectively illustrates the shift that can occur when you start your morning off in a meaningful, productive way.
CONSULTING THE SUTRAS
In his translation of Yoga Sutra 2.1, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, explains, “the schematic practice of yoga consists of three components: tapas, svadhyaya and ishvara pranidhana.”
- Tapas – to heat, purify or transform. Yoga as a physical, disciplined practice using the instrument of the body
- Svadhyaya – the study of the self, through the self, to the self; yoga of inner wisdom and mental energy
- Ishvara Pranidhana – surrender to the infinite, acknowledgement of the divine; yoga as an intimate spiritual practice that transcends the illusion of separation
Using this paramount sutra as a guide, I invite you to consider the benefits of morning yoga, offered below in the context of these three components, and how it can improve physical, mental and spiritual vitality.